This Optical Illusion Disappears When You Stare At It And It's Completely Freaking Us Out

[rangerrebew]

This Optical Illusion Disappears When You Stare At It And It's Completely Freaking Us Out
 
By Rosie McCall
10 Apr 2018, 20:38

Take a good look at the image below. Really focus on its center.

After a few seconds, you will notice the pattern starts to fade as if the exposure setting has been ramped up. The lighter colors and the shapes on the periphery will be the first to disappear. Within a minute or so, the picture should have melted into the background, leaving a blank white space (or, perhaps, a gray square).

Until you blink.

As soon as you move your eyes or shift your attention, the image will jolt back into view.

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/the-science-behind-an-optical-illusion-that-disappears-when-you-stare-at-it/

[Polly Ticks]

Of course, the image never really goes away. It is just an illustration of the way our brain copes with the thousands of sensations we are exposed to on a constant basis – a phenomenon known as selective processing. Without us realizing it, the brain filters out extraneous information so that we can focus on the important stuff [...]

I guess this explains why my sons are apparently unable to see the dirty socks they leave on the floor of their bedrooms and/or the family room.  It's just 'extraneous information'.